Danish architecture firm 3XN has released new visuals along with a set of construction photos showing the process of the new home of the International Olympic Committee. Called Olympic House, the newly released photographs show the circular staircase, which echoes the Olympic rings, as well as sinuous façade structure rising at the construction site in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

In 2014, 3XN won the competition to design IOC’s new headquarters. The HQ building is designed around three key values/objectives: movement, flexibility and sustainability. Its interior is designed with as few structural constraints as possible, and has a eight-meter column free zone from the façade into the building.

A transparent double glass façade comprises a straight inner layer and a curving outer layer image. Image © Forbes Massie

A transparent double glass façade is the hallmark of the design for Olympic House. Comprising a straight inner layer and a curving, faceted outer layer, the result is a dynamic form that evokes the movement of an Olympic athlete. 

By optimizing the 'façade to floor plate' ratio and creating a fully glazed façade from floor to ceiling, 3XN’s design draws daylight deep into the building. 

The building’s dynamic form evokes the movement of an athlete. Image © Forbes Massie

The inner layer features an integrated sunscreen, which enables the outer later to maintain its fully glazed and transparent appearance. As there is a highway close to the building’s north side, the double façade also provides noise reduction for the interiors. A cavity between the façade layers enables easy maintenance while allowing for the dynamic and elegant skin.

"With its dynamic, undulating façade, the building will appear different from all angles and convey the energy of an athlete in motion. Its interior is designed with as few structural constraints as possible," said Jan Ammundsen, Senior Partner and Head of Design at 3XN Architects.

"This open and flexible environment is meant to adapt for multiple work styles now and in the future," added Jan Ammundsen.

The interior is designed with as few structural constraints as possible. Image © 3XN

The new IOC headquarters will be a one of the most energy efficient glass buildings and aims to achieve the highest sustainable development standards. Solar panels on the roof (and out of sight) will produce an amount of electricity equivalent to the consumption of 60 Swiss households. This electricity will allow the building to be self-sufficient in terms of its heating, ventilation, cooling and hot water systems.

3XN recycled 95% of the old buildings, the concrete was upcycled on site and reused in the foundation for the 'Olympic House'. Image © IOC / Luca Delachaux

The aim for the design has been to minimize the environmental footprint while not compromising the quality of the working environment. Through the green roof, terraces and fitness center, the building and natural environment is rich with the opportunity for employees to participate in sport and leisure activities in order to energize themselves throughout the day. 

Sustainable features such as low-flow taps, toilets, and 'rainwater harvesting significantly reduce the building's use of water; while the solar panels located on the roof reduce the need for electricity from the grid.

Construction photographs highlight the building’s circular staircase. Image © IOC / Luca Delachaux

To achieve a sustainable development, IOC recycled all of the concrete used in its former administration buildings for use in the construction of the new Olympic House. To make this operation worthwhile from an energy point of view, the IOC decided to recycle as much as possible on site. 

The sinuous structure is rising at the construction site and expected for completion in early 2019. Image © IOC / Luca Delachaux

"The benefits are mainly a reduction in road traffic (less pollution for those living nearby, plus reduced energy and carbon footprint), natural resource savings and the space saved in rubbish dumps," said 3XN.

"A concrete mixer and all the other machines needed to sort and crush the concrete were installed on the site. A number of tests were carried out by a specialist laboratory to find the mixture for the recycled concrete that would meet the mechanical needs of the civil engineer."

The dynamic façade gives the Olympic House a dynamic look but is also optimised to lower solar radiation. Image © IOC / Luca Delachaux

Once the calculations had been made, it was agreed that the recycled concrete could be used in different amounts to create the watertight wall around the Olympic House site, and in the apron and outside walls of the underground part of the building.

The staircase echoes the form of the famous Olympic Rings. Image © IOC / Luca Delachaux

The new headquarters of the International Olympic Committee will bring together 600 employees, currently working in disparate offices throughout the city, and is expected to be inaugurated in early 2019.

Project facts

Project name: Olympic House

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Typology: Office

Completion: 2019

Size: 25.000m2

Credits

Architect: 3XN

Team: Kim Herforth Nielsen, Jan Ammundsen, Bo Boje Larsen, Fred Holt, Søren Nersting, Maria Tkacova, Christian Brink, Bodil Nordstrøm, Nan Shin, Laura Wagner, Olaf Kunert, Kenn Clausen, Stine de Bang, Andrea Baresi, Sang Yeun Lee, Tine Skov, Majbritt Lerche Madsen, Andreas Herborg, Jack Renteria, Jakob Wojcik, Julie Rothman-Pedersen, Kresten Bjerre Basse, Kristoffer Codam, Morten Graversen, Rasmus Møller, Jeppe Kongstad Hjort, Michella Zascha Johansen, Pernille Uglvig Sangvin, Tobias Gagner

Client: The International Olympic Committee

Local architect: IttenBrechbühl

Structural Engineer: Ingeni

Façade Engineer: Emmer Pfenninger Partner

Landscape Architects: Hüsler & Associés Sàrl

MEP: Weinmann Energies SA

EE: MAB – Ingénerie SA

Certification: ThemaVerde

Lighting: Jesper Kongshaug

Top image: 'Olympic House' will be the new home of the International Olympic Committee. Image © Forbes Massie

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